2008 KTM Sunny Corner Trail Bike Ride

Grant Anthes, proprietor of Torque Motorcycles Lithgow, had this to say of the rally, "actual sales have been lower this year than last, but as usual we are happy to be here to support the event. As a TM dealer we are here to promote our range, and also cater for those needing tyres, mechanical assistance, or riding gear and apparel."

Some come just for the day, some for the weekend, and others (and there were quite a few) stay for three or four days.As we were driving away on Saturday night, with fires blazing, and the "social ambience" just beginning, I almost envied the campers. Though by midnight, climbing into bed with the rain pouring outside, that envy had diminished to a faint admiration for those braving the Sunny Corner elements.

The EatMyDirt crew for this ride was Rob Mendham (TM250 2T), Steve Scott (KTM300), Trent Johnstone (KTM530), and myself on the trusty Husaberg 450. Red Thompson was also around on Saturday with his new TM300, but strangely no sighting of him was made at all on Sunday. Rumour had it that he didn't want to get the new bike dirty. As media sponsors we were able to head out onto the loop early. At 7.30am though, it was still raining heavily, so we delayed our departure for 15mins or so. And off we went.

After making it past my "over the bars" location from the '07 event (500m from the start), we were out on some great trail. A mixture of both fire trail and single trail, the conditions were moist but very high in fun factor. With relatively new Dunlop's fitted grip was surprisingly good. I actually survived the day without an off, although came very close on a couple of occasions. One was a near high side reentering a fire trail from some single track in the pines, and the other was at the beginning of a Hard section.

The section started with a bank three or four metres high and then ran alongside a fire trail in some single track through cleared pine forest. I looked at the bank and thought 'too easy, just hit it", but didn't consider, or even look at the top of the bank. A kicker at the top launched my freestyle career with the newly named "Starfish". Luckily I landed it without incident, although a quick check over my shoulder to ensure there were no witnesses was required.

Slippery Hill provided ample entertainment for the EMD crew, but next to no one else. Most were having a great deal of trouble with the ascent, and Rob was kept busy as a pseudo sweep, helping all and sundry up the slope. I'd estimate he rode ten to twenty bikes up the more difficult section. One bloke on a WR just stood beside his bike in stunned silence, he was absolutely exhausted. It was awesome fun heckling from behind the lens. Most were too exhausted to bite back, or even comment at all actually.

When we were getting ready to ride the next section, a couple of the "fatigued ones" looked at our bikes and said "how are your bikes so clean?". I looked at them and said with a straight face, "You just have to stand on the pegs and gas it mate - too easy". The look on their faces was classic, but I had to fess up and tell them we were some of the first up an hour ago, and conditions had deteriorated since.

Next up was a great little section of single trail, leading up to a Hard/Easy intersection. I waited for Steve here for quite a while until Trent arrived, on his second lap of the loop! He hadn't seen Steve, and unbeknown to us he had taken a dive and injured his foot. The fire trails short cut the journey back to base for him. Old "Hop along" gave some good laughs in the afternoon with involuntary Hunchback of Notre Dame impersonations. He wanted to go to the hospital for X-Rays, but there was no way we were leaving without the KTM. We are hard, but fair.

Anyway, back to the ride. Trying to keep up with Trent is near on impossible for me, even when he's taking it easy. At one point there was a real greasy bit with quite a few people having difficulty getting any traction. I rode past them all standing on the pegs, in relative control and going as fast as traction would allow. I was feeling pretty good, until Trent rode past like I was stationary. I couldn't believe he was able to get the grip. I asked him what I was doing wrong at the next stop, and it was simple - put my weight back! Trust me, I tried it and it works. Trent was fourth outright in the prologue at this years Yellow Mountain race, so pointers from him are valuable.

Trent and I parted ways when I stalled the Berg on a steep section of hill, and had trouble kicking it again!! Just as I restarted I saw a flash, I thought someone had taken my photo. But then rain started to fall, the storm hit, and I realised the flash was lightning. From this point on the hardest part of riding was actually seeing the track. The water running down the roads and tracks made differentiating between ruts and rivulets difficult. Has anyone made goggles with wipers!

I only saw one more bike in this last section. Apparently a lot of riders took the "highway" back to base. It was quite eerie riding in the last section of forest. A downhill section through the trees in near dark due to the heavy cloud and rain, my headlight was shining on the trees as I weaved through.

It was with a little disappointment that I learned the second loop had been closed. If it had been open I would have ridden - honest! In the end, it was a wise decision from the organisers, and I didn't see any disagreement with it in the pits.

Yes it was only a 70km rally, but that 70km had 140km of fun, thrills and excitement. I'm sure no one went away thinking they had inadequate opportunity to ride.

With Trade Alley all but disappeared due to the rain, the hardest part was finding a dry place to change. We saw a lonely looking QuikShade, and decided to keep it company for a while. The owners returned as we were pulling our boots on and looked a little miffed, but seemed cool with it after a bit of bench racing.

The sun broke through the clouds, which enabled a beginning to the social event of the afternoon, the presentation. KTM Australia once again came on board with an all new 2009 KTM450EXC as the main prize, and a KTM50SX mini as the second. Marcus Rogers, of Glenorie NSW was visibly chuffed to be Australia's newest KTM owner, and Penrith based Sutto's Motorcycles, Chris Sutton, was more than happy to be "Santa" for the day.

Matthew O'Brien of Carlingford NSW was the winner of the KTM50. Hopefully he had a little tacker at home to take it off his hands. The generosity of the sponsors is amazing with literally hundreds of prizes given away. The CTMCC has always conducted one of the most professional presentations amongst the rallies. Sponsors are adequately recognised for their generosity, and prizewinners are called to the awesome Undecided rig for collection.

Geoff Henning, of the Central Tablelands Motorcycle Club, had this to say; "What a weekend! Considering the interesting conditions, the Central Tablelands are more than happy that the event was a success, and judging by the smiles and comments when they returned I think everyone who participated had a ball."

The early finish to the day allowed some chat time with some of the industry reps. Cindy, of DirtBikeChix had her wares of on and off track apparel for the ladies, and unless there were cross dressers galore, the better halves of the riders were being looked after.

Chris Sutton of Suttos Motorcycle Supply had a range of '09 KTM's on display, including the 450EXC on the Undecided trailer. Sutto was also handing out flyers for his 2009 KTM and Husaberg Demo Ride day at Clarence MX track, on the 26th October. A unique opportunity to try out the entire EXC range, and the much coveted Berg, on both MX and enduro loops. Ring Sutto's for further details.

Daniel Jandera from Roc Stompa was onsite with his ever popular robotic demonstration unit. I am currently testing the Roc Stompa Pro Steering Dampener, so keep you eyes peeled on EMD's evaluation of the same unit KTM's Brad "Wonka" Williscroft has been using on his KTM this past year.